CSUS
has experienced unprecedented enrollment growth over the past few
years. To serve these students and to invest in their future, the
future of the University and to accommodate growth, CSUS has undertaken
many steps. These include a significant building program, scheduling
year-round classes, extending days and hours of operation, and offering
long distance education and off-site programs as well as offering
alternative methods of instruction such as televised and online
computer classes.

Nonetheless, regional demographics indicate the need to build out
the current campus master plan to accommodate predicted growth over
the next few years. If the University does not build, it will exceed
its current capacity in five years.

This Election Day, Nov. 5, California voters will be presented with
Prop. 47, a $13 billion education bond measure that includes funds
for construction within all segments of public education from kindergarten
through university.

Since the 1980s the Legislature has determined that construction
projects and major renovations at California public universities
and colleges need to be financed by voter approved general obligation
bond issues. The November bond measure is one of two approved by
the Legislature to go before the voters. The second will be on the
March 2004 ballot and if passed would provide for three additional
buildings at CSUS. For a bond to qualify for the ballot, the Legislature
must approve it by a two-thirds vote and the governor must sign
it.

The bond funds would be divided four ways by a predetermined formula
to provide for new construction and a backlog of renovation and
repair projects.

For the November bond measure, CSUS has $20.6 million of projects
awaiting funding on the CSU statewide approved list. Should the
bond measure pass, the first project currently on that list is $18.6
million to upgrade deteriorating infrastructure, such as the original
sewer pipes, which were not designed to handle so many buildings
and students. It will also provide for changing aged and inefficient
heating and air conditioning units. Some wiring and a new fire alarm
system will be added. This is the second phase of a three-part effort
to address these infrastructure deficiencies.

Much of the campus was built in the early 1950s and is in need of
replacement, renovation or repair. Another approximate $2 million
dollars from the bond will provide for projects such as safety upgrades
in a research laboratory in the College of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics, a new mechanical engineering lab, renovations for a
graphic design lab in Kadema Hall, improvements in Shasta Hall,
renovation to the High Tech Center, remodel of the Maryjane Rees
Language, Speech and Hearing Center, as well as classroom improvements
in Amador and Eureka halls.

Voter approved bond funds and interest are repaid from state general
funds, primarily income and sales taxes. They do not require a tax
increase, but do use state revenues.

The CSU Board of Trustees and many other educational and business
organizations are backing the measure. Opponents stress that California
already has too much debt.